Zlatan Ibrahimovic shone brightly last season, but a long-term knee injury saw him leave at the end of his one-year contract, while Wayne Rooney has returned to Everton after 13 years in search of regular football.

Romelu Lukaku completed his move the other way on Monday, with the big-money striker filling the void left in attack.

Long-standing defensive target Victor Lindelof arrived from Benfica weeks earlier, while executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has yet to fly out for United’s pre-season tour as work behind the scenes continues.

It is understood up to four high-profile acquisitions have been targeted this summer, with talk continuing over a move for Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic.

Mourinho is also keen to bolster central midfield. A reunion with Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic has been mooted, while Tottenham defensive midfielder Eric Dier is a target.

The England international is believed to be open to a move to Old Trafford, but not willing to rock the boat. Dier grew up as a United fan and admitted in 2010 it would be “very hard to turn down” a move to the club.